#TopfitMorning week 1: the first step is always the hardest
After overcoming the inertia of previous sedentary and less-than healthy lifestyle habits, our challengers are starting to ease into a workout routine
An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force: Newton’s First Law applies to working out too. Overcoming this inertia is probably the hardest part in starting an exercise regimen.
All three challengers have been working out thrice weekly with their trainers, following a training method called German Body Composition that focuses on heavy weightlifting exercises - each circuit pairs an upper body exercise with a lower body one, with minimal rest between sets. Movements target major muscles and are slow and controlled, thereby creating constant tension on the working muscle.
Arnold Wong, personal trainer to challenger Janice Lee, explains that alternating upper- and lower-body exercises causes a “peripheral heart action training” effect. The constant switching keeps blood circulating throughout the whole body during the workout, and the body also burns more calories pumping blood to the extreme ends of the body.
All three challengers have also made changes to their diets and lifestyles, mainly eating healthier, cutting out alcohol and getting more sleep.
We checked in with them after their first week of training to see how they’re getting on.